Sunday, June 30, 2013

June 29, 2013

I've just gotten back home from a meetup party out in Sugar Land.  It took me the longest time to get out of the subdivision.  The navigation on my cheap smart phone really helped tonight.  Otherwise, I'd still be driving in circles through Greatwood.

I wanted to see this couple's house.  It was the most decorated home- both inside and out- that I've ever been in.  It makes my place look stark in contrast.

This afternoon I had a date.  Some friends were giving me grief for letting an almost total stranger into my house.  Others were telling me to go for it.  I had a good feeling that this man would be a gentleman and he was.

I met him through an online dating site.  I even asked him out on this date.  I am just so contemporary.

Life only goes forward if you take some risks.

I am not willing to stay at home and mope.  There is so much more to life and I want to enjoy all I can.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

June 25, 2013

My son, Kevin and his family live in Tokyo.  Yesterday was my daughter in law's birthday.  I usually buy her jewelry but this year I took a risk and got her a Brighton belt and a Texas t-shirt.  The size small looked so so tiny but I knew that was her size (or even extra small).

She is so sweet.  Today she sent me a picture of herself modeling my gifts to her.  (The pink cowboy hat  and pink poodle pumps are from 2010 Christmas.)  Now she is ready to go to the rodeo!




Wednesday, June 19, 2013

June 2013: Working on the Laundry Room

My house has a huge laundry room.  It was part of the remodel done before I moved in.  Maybe it was part of the old garage.

It had counter tops made from old doors.  The counters were supported by wood posts on the floor.  There was one old rickety cabinet on the wall.  I added a couple of bookcases for storage.  But other than that it was very cumbersome to store anything.





I had Ian, my "handiest of men" take out the built in counters and cabinet.  I bought easy to assemble shelving units from Lowe's which will take their place.  Plus, I will put my Ikea counter in there under the window.  I hope to be able to use this space for flower arranging and painting crafts.

So far, Ian has floated the walls and primed them.  He removed the old carpet on the floor.  I've picked out some vinyl flooring for the room.

The room has space for an air conditioner.  I told Ian to go pick one up at Home Depot.  It will be easier for him to work in there.

I will post the after photos as soon as it's done.

Ian is a good handy man but he is doing all this work alone so it will take a while.  If anyone needs a recommendation for a handy man, I'll post his contact info after he finishes my laundry room ;)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

June 2013: How to make a wired headband.


Lately I have been wearing scarves in my hair - maybe I'll start a new trend.  Scarves have a tendency to slide off.  So I tried headbands.  They always feel too tight.

In this post I will show you one of my solutions to these problems.


First cut 2 strips of fabric, 32" long by 3.25" wide (approximately).


Trim the ends into a point..


Sew or serge the sides together, forming a tube and leaving a 1" opening in the center.
Turn the tube right side out through the 1" opening.

 Cut a 32" length of wire.   I have found that "garden training" wire works the best.  Find it in the garden section of your hardware store, near the trellises. 



Make a loop in each end of the wire.

                                     Cover the ends of the wire with tape.  I used electrical tape.

                                                         
Insert wire into the tube, being sure to go all the way to each end.







You can sew the opening closed if desired.  I leave mine open so I can remove the wire and wear the tube as a neck scarf also.


Put on the headband and gently twist the ends to make it fit comfortably on your head.


Monday, June 17, 2013

June 17, 2013: Superman!

Yesterday I drove out to the new Palladium theater in Richmond.  I visited Mom first so I drove West Belfort to 99 to the Grand Parkway.  It's unbelievable how populated it is between Houston and Richmond.  Huge homes were all along the way.

I was supposed to get together with a movie-watching meet up group.  The Palladium is so huge that I couldn't find anyone.  It was very crowded so I thought I better go ahead and buy my ticket.  I bought my ticket on one of the machines there.  All the seats are reserved so I chose a seat and paid for the ticket.

I goofed and bought the 1 PM show instead of 1:20.  The manager said that the 1:20 was sold out so I watched the 1:00.  I never did see anyone I know.

The seats in the theater are very comfy.  There's plenty of leg room.  The seats kind of vibrate with the action parts of the movie.

The new Superman is super cute.  I hope this actor does not suffer from the Superman jinx.

The movie was extremely loud.  There was always "dum da dum" music even during the non action scenes.  The action shots were amazing.

After the movie I wandered around the Palladium.  There's a bowling alley, game area, restaurants, gelato and candy stores.  I was hungry but I decided to leave to find a quieter place.

I ended up at an IHOP on 90 in Sugar Land.  IHOP was in a few scenes in the movie.  I hoped Superman would make an appearance while I ate my omelet.  Unfortunately, he was a no show.


Thursday, June 6, 2013

June 6, 2013: the whole night!

I can't believe I slept for ELEVEN hours straight.  I got home from work around 5:30 last night and got so sleepy.  I didn't want to take a nap so I could sleep at night.

Finally, I thought I'll just lay down and maybe I'll sleep until around 11 PM and then I'll have the rest of the night to do what I want.

I laid down at 6:30 PM and finally got up at 5:30 AM.  I'd still be sleeping but I was feeling stiff from being in one position for too long.

The poor kitties - they didn't get their evening allotment of petting or fresh cat food.

I didn't get to do what I planned.  I wanted to make this new style headband that I discovered.  Then I was going to post a tutorial on how to make one.

Instead I only have enough time this morning to have coffee and do a little blogging.

I must say - I feel really GOOD.  Usually I fight going to bed every night.  I end up taking a melatonin so I'll get some sleep.

Last night - no melatonin, not even any dinner and I slept and slept!

June 5, 2013: work or a day in the park?

It's wonderful to drive into your work place and feel good.  Once I turn into the Rice campus I am surrounded by trees, lush greenery and pretty architecture.

I parked my car this morning near Cohen House.  As I was walking to Sewall I saw a cute little bunny rabbit.  I tried to take his picture but he hopped away before I could.

That bunny just made my day.  Rice campus is full of squirrels.  They are totally fearless and will steal your food if you're not careful.

I wish the bunnies were more like the squirrels.  I am no fan of squirrels.  But bunnies!  They are just so cute!

Tomorrow I am going to have my camera ready after I park my car.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

June 4, 2013

Yesterday my supervisor called me on my cell asking me to switch my day off.  So, I'm at home today. Sometimes I think I should work more hours.  I only work 20 hours a week.  That was good when I was caring for 2 invalids at home.  But now I have lots of free time.

I've been enjoying getting my house back into good shape.  I can put things into place and they stay there.  When Mama first moved in she put stuff where she thought they should go.  I guess I'm a bit of a hyper-organizer.

When I first started living alone I tried to not spread out throughout the house.  But then I thought why not?  As a result things are much easier to find because they are not all jammed together into a small space.

I make messes though.  I like to make "stuff."  Right now I'm working on painting a few things - a large plant root, ceramic cookie jar and sunglasses.  So paint and brushes are lying about.

If I didn't like to create things, I could have a nice neat house.  At least I do confine my tools to a small space in the kitchen.

I'm considering re-doing my laundry room.  It's a huge space but not organized.  If it got shaped up, I could keep my painting projects in there, not in the kitchen.

So, this how I now spend my free time.  After all my house rearranging I'll have lots of free time.  Or will I ever be finished?